Cheer Up Chinzi !
by Glendyr on Wed Sep 17, 2008 8:31 pm
Wow the ups & downs of 2008 continue. Very sad to hear that Chinzi cut a back paw very badly today & had to be rushed to the vet for emergency treatment Naturally a huge blow to Annaret so close to the start of the "Champ" season as it seems the young superstar will have to rest for 6-8 weeks.
She has undergone surgery and is safely back home though still extremely groggy.I'm sure Annaret will be able to give clearer details as to the nature & extent of the injury.
Annaret, I'm truly devastated for you, but knowing the great nurse you are, I'm sure Chinzi will make a full recovery. My very best wishes to both of you - please give Chinzi a huge hug & keep us posted of her progress. Vasbyt
Re: Cheer Up Chinzi !
by Annaret on Thu Sep 18, 2008 8:40 am
Thanks Glendyr. Chinzi mysteriously cut her back paw on something while playing with Levi yesterday around 3pm. Her paw bleeded profusely and my mom rushed her to the vet where I met them. It was a very deep, clean cut, but the vet set she could see tendon, which didn't sound good. She immediately put Chinz under anesthetic to assess the damage.
I waited anxiously at home for her call, which came minutes later with very bad news. Two of her tendons were completely severed, while a third was cut about 20%. The problem with tendon repair is that it never grows back, it has to be stitched and immobilised for 4 to 6 weeks to ensure best chances at recovery. A very high percentage of tendon stitching breaks when animals move too much too soon, and the chances are very slim of the stitch holding. Once it breaks, nothing else can be done to aid repair, and her toes might become "lame" and stand up, which will probably affect her agility performance a great deal. Needless to say, my heart is broken, as there's no way to turn back time to prevent this from happening. The only thing I can do now, is a near impossible task, to try and keep a very very active Border Collie as close to dead still as possible for a time period as long as 6 weeks!
At first when she came home, she was so groggy, she just slept, but as she came to, during the early hours of the morning, she was very uncomfortable and we were lying awake for almost the entire night. This morning she has been crying non-stop to try and get rid of the foreign thing (splint and bandage) on her foot and it took a lot of coaxing to get her to hobble on 3 legs to go do the necessary jobs outside. The process of acceptance has begun, but I can see a long road ahead. She will also be on calming medicine for the next 10 days.
After the 6 weeks of minimal movement, exercise can begin slowly, gradually increasing for the next two months thereafter, so Chinzi will not be competing again this year. I will be hoping and praying for a miraculous recovery and a fresh start in 2009. Will keep you posted.
Re: Cheer Up Chinzi !
by Hilary on Thu Sep 18, 2008 8:29 pm
What dreadful news! I'm so sorry to hear about Chinzy's accident! I know you must feel flattened, and while this will be a set-back for you and Chinzy right now, I can't imagine that either you or her will let this stop you from achieving your goals in the long run. She's young, healthy and strong and I'm gonna take my bets that she'll recovery against all odds and bounce back. And then your achievements will be even sweeter! In the meantime, hang in there. I wish her a speedy recovery.
Re: Cheer Up Chinzi !
by Sky Rocket on Fri Sep 19, 2008 8:58 am
Hi Annaret, so sorry to hear about Chinzi, however I have some very good news for you!!! Comet did the same thing to his left back leg when he was about her age too and thankfully hadn't started competing at the time. Needless to say, he competes with the best of them and although some of his toe's have turned up, he has made a full recovery. So don't despair my friend, Chinzi will be as good as new in no time! Keeping her quiet will be the hardest thing but I wouldn't stress too much about that either since the worst she can do is pull her outside stiches out, the damage to the tendon has already been done, and I can assure you, there's not much chance of those stiches holding the tendon's together staying put!! Been there, done that and ended up putting Comet through agony trying to save the tendons!! It just wasn't worth it, and in hindsight I wish I hadn't put poor Comet through all the pain and stress of 3 operations!!! He turned out just fine in the end :o)
Hugs to you and Chinzi, Sarah
Re: Cheer Up Chinzi !
by Annaret on Mon Sep 22, 2008 8:37 am
Thanks for everyone's well wishes. We've really had a hard time up 'till now, with Chinzi having crying sessions in the early mornings lasting up to an hour before the calming medicine would kick in and these episodes really taking a toll on me... But I'm happy to report that this morning was much better than the last 3, so hopefully that means the pain is less and she's starting to accept the splint on the foot. 4 Days gone... 10 to go 'till outside stictches come out and bandage & splint gets changed. 24 days to go 'till splint comes off. 38 days to go until we can slowly start movement and perhaps hydrotherapy... it's a long road ahead, but we will hang in there and keep you posted of progress.
Re: Cheer Up Chinzi !
by lesleylerm on Mon Sep 22, 2008 11:23 am
Hi Annaret, I am also sorry to hear about Chinzi. Hang in there and look after her nicely. Keep us posted about her recovery. Rgds. Lesley and Candy
Re: Cheer Up Chinzi !
by Annaret on Wed Oct 01, 2008 8:54 am
If you have been wondering, Chinzi has been doing slightly better lately, getting used to the splint on her foot and is quite capable on 3 legs. She is a little depressed though because she can't play like she would like to, but trying to keep her mind busy with "stationary" tricks and she seems to be enjoying whatever comes her way as long as it's in the form of attention and TLC. She will be going in at 10am this morning for a bandage/splint change under sedation, where they will also inspect how her wound has been healing and remove the outside stitches. Hold thumbs that all will be found well as can be. Will keep you posted as soon as she's home and have spoken to the vet. I also spoke to the physio yesterday, and sounds like we'll be able to start hydrotherapy after 6 weeks already, which will be sooner than I thought, but still waiting on expert advice from similar cases before we will make a call on it. Thanks for all the well wishes and kisses sent Chinzi's way.
Re: Cheer Up Chinzi !
by Glendyr on Wed Oct 01, 2008 9:51 am
Really, really holding very tight thumbs this end & hope we soon have news that is
"The reason dogs are man's best friend is 'cos their tails wag & not their tongues"
Re: Cheer Up Chinzi !
by Annaret on Wed Oct 01, 2008 3:08 pm
Good news, all went well. Chinzi's wound looks great, the outside stitches are now out, so perhaps she'll feel some relief at least, although a slightly bigger&bulkier splint is back on! She seems a little uncomfortable at the moment, but I guess it's only because it's a new bandage. She unfortunately developed some slight dermatitis on her outer (in-tact tendon) toe, because of the bandage, so instead of 2 weeks, she needs to go back in a week's time to check that it hasn't become worse. They have cleaned and treated it, so let's hope it doesn't become worse! Other than that she was very good, didn't scream or squeak the Animal Hospital staff's ears off their heads like the previous time, so she must have been a little more content (or perhaps sleepy) than the previous time. She also stood dead still while the Beagle "sniffers" sniffed her from top to toe on arrival home, as opposed to showing them pearly whites like the last time. Shen sends kisses to everyone and we hope the time flies until she will be able to use her foot again.
Re: Cheer Up Chinzi !
by Kirsti Kingwill on Thu Oct 02, 2008 11:47 am
Ok never mind the email i see all the news is right here. lol. I am glad to hear that so far the recovery is going well.
Re: Cheer Up Chinzi !
by Annaret on Thu Oct 09, 2008 8:10 am
Update on Chinz... vet said OK to leave splint&bandage on for another week, so I am a bit relieved. It helps a lot while it's splinted, as she keeps it in the air herself. So probably next week, the hard times will begin. Some other good news is that she's only gained a total of 600g in weight during the last 3 weeks of not being actively exercising! We're hoping this trend will continue until we can start swimming, so we won't have too much weight to get rid off.
Chinzi is learning to identify different articles to keep her mind busy and we are having fun in some way at least. She would most certainly prefer to be chasing her ball, but she's so so so good, just accepts whatever mommy says and makes the best of it. I couldn't have wished for a better behaved patient. She's been off the calming meds for a day now, and we seem to be coping fine, so we are hoping they won't be necessary again. It's very hard for her not to chase after the Beagles when they hear something and run full speed out the door, but she obeys mom's command to lie down and stay. She's the most amazing dog ever!
Thanks for all the hugs&kisses sent her way, she just loves them and sends a whole lot of kisses back! Will be updating again once the splint is off and therapy starts.
Re: Cheer Up Chinzi !
by Hilary on Fri Oct 10, 2008 7:04 am
testing patience is never a very nice lesson, A, but hang in there, I'm sure it will be worth it.
Re: Cheer Up Chinzi !
by Annaret on Wed Oct 15, 2008 9:57 am
The time has come for Chinzi's splint to be taken off... after numerous conversations with the vet and physio over the last few days, the appointment has been made for tomorrow morning 8am.
The vet will take the splint off, inspect the foot and make sure the dermatitis is under control. Chinzi will then immediately go swimming with the physio to give her a chance to be "wild" in the water, enjoying the "freedom" without the fear of tearing the tissue by putting too much weight on it immediately. This will also give the 4-week-long immobilised muscles around the injured area a chance to "wake up" without direct weight and strain on the healing tendon. Please hold thumbs for a successful session! Will report back tomorrow!
Re: Cheer Up Chinzi !
by Megs on Wed Oct 15, 2008 3:40 pm
Hi annaret, sad to hear what happened to your lovely girl!! although it sounds like things are going well so far. so even though i dont know you that well yet, i really hope everything works out well and she gets better in no time. Your hard and patient work will eventually pay off and im sure you two will be closer than before. Holding thumbs.
"I am the voice of the voiceless"
Re: Cheer Up Chinzi !
by Kirsti Kingwill on Wed Oct 15, 2008 4:01 pm
Good luck to the both of you dont know who needs our thoughts more. Sure Chinzi will be glad to be getting back to any kind of activity even if its just swimming. Will check for an update tomorrow.
Re: Cheer Up Chinzi !
by Annaret on Thu Oct 16, 2008 12:01 pm
Thanks for all the well wishes, we sure need it! This morning was a VERY interesting one indeed... first off to the vet for the bandage/splint removal... Chinzi was VERY good and lied quietly while the vet removed the bandage. She didn't kick or put up any fuss. The vet was very happy with what we found... said the dermatitis on the outer toe was much better than 2 weeks ago. Unfortunately she developed quite a lot of pressure sores from the bandage, but I was assured this is very normal and will heal quickly once given the chance to dry out.
Now Chinzi's foot was "free", but still we had to keep her from putting any weight on it, so I carried her to the car. The journey from Durbanville to Panorama was quite a taxing one, as she wanted to stand up quite a few times, and I had to pull over the car to make her lie comfortably again before we could continue. When we arrived at the physio she came out to meet us, and off to the pool we went.
Marinette is an absolutely amazing lady, and I have to thank Jean for referring me to her! She first assessed Chinzi's toes and was very happy that they are not standing up at this point, which meant the scar tissue that has formed has knitted with the tendon, and so far so good. Still a long road ahead, as all this can still tear, even 6 months post-op, if correct after care is not applied, things taken very slowly and of course, even if all this is done, there will always still be that possibility, as the newly formed collagen fibres will never be as strong and well alligned as the original tendon. She showed me how to massage the toes, 6 different things I need to do every day now, very slowly and gently. Then it was time to put on the wet-suit and Chinzi's life-jacket. Chinzi was just SO SO SO good, she never kicked or fussed, she just went along calmly with everything we asked of her. Into the swimming pool, and immediately those feet started kicking. She swam about 3 sessions of 30 seconds, with a short rest period in between. Then the last 3 sessions she was allowed to fetch the tennis ball for me and bring it to the side where I would throw it again and off she'd go. Needless to say, Chinzi had a "ball"... excuse the pun!
Out the pool, and off on the lead, with support under her tummy to prevent her from putting full weight on the foot. She sniffed around and when we lied down again, was quite happy to be allowed to lick her foot for a bit. Some ultrasound treatment was applied and more stretching/massaging. Finally our first session was over. I think Chinzi enjoyed it, I learnt a lot and this might become one of her favourite places over the next few weeks.
We will be back tomorrow and 3 times next week. Hopefully by the end of next week, she will be OK to put weight on it and will be allowed to walk normally (on lead of course), albeit slowly.
For the next while it's going to be really hard to care for her, as she will not be allowed to "run" free in the house as she had been the last 4 weeks. Although she had to be kept still all the time, because her foot was in a splint, she couldn't move her toes and almost never put it down, so she could "run" on 3 legs and do a lot more than she will be allowed for probably the next 2 weeks at least. She will be crated most of the time and only allowed out on lead, with tummy support to prevent her from putting full weight on the foot. It's going to be hard, and a slow process, but hopefully one day, it will all have been worth it.
She is very tired at the moment, and after I cleaned her wounds when we got home, cut some sticky hair away and applied some ointment, she has been sleeping like a baby. The Beagle noses had a sniff at the foot, with Chinz slightly pulling lip at them, but all understood and they keep their distance, giving her her space. We will try to take some photos tomorrow with her in the pool, and post them together with the next update.
Re: Cheer Up Chinzi !
by Kirsti Kingwill on Thu Oct 16, 2008 12:13 pm
Glad to hear all is going well so far.
Re: Cheer Up Chinzi !
by Glendyr on Thu Oct 16, 2008 12:18 pm
& so interesting...by the end of this year we will be dog & human "injury PRO's" I think ! Would using a "flyball harness" + collar maybe help you get extra lift & stop her putting full weight on the toes? Am sure at last she must be so happy to have some freedom & energy release & lucky for you she loves swimming.
"The reason dogs are man's best friend is 'cos their tails wag & not their tongues"
Re: Cheer Up Chinzi !
by Hilary on Thu Oct 16, 2008 3:55 pm
thanks for sharing all your news with us. Your unfortunate experience is an education to us all. I hope Chinzi will grow from strength to strength and as I said before - eventually, your accomplishments will be even sweeter.
Re: Cheer Up Chinzi !
by Annaret on Thu Oct 16, 2008 4:22 pm
Thanks again guys, it really means a lot to us to know there's people who really care out there! Glendyr, I don't think the flyball harness will help, perhaps if it was a front foot, but being the back foot, she will probably then just want to put more pressure on the back legs to "pull" away. The harness really only help me lift her in front. I have a nice "thing-a-ma-jig" I cut out of a green shopping bag, physio's suggestion, and it works like a charm. I just keep her weight in front of her back legs slightly lifted as she walks, so in the event of her putting her foot down, it will not have to bear full weight yet. She's still very much holding the foot in the air, so for now it's going well, as we don't want to rush the process. The more swimming sessions she can have to help strengthen the muscles first, the better for when she eventually starts putting weight on it. Physio said, slowly phase it in over 3 days or so. She's finding the "thing-a-ma-jig" a bit funny, but also slowly getting used to it. We will be going for walks in the next 3 days like that, so she better get used to it!
Re: Cheer Up Chinzi !
by Dawn Hall on Thu Oct 16, 2008 4:40 pm
Hey, just wondering if the South African "thing-a-ma-jig" is the same as the Canadian "doo-hickis"?? Hang in there Annaret
Re: Cheer Up Chinzi !
by Glendyr on Thu Oct 16, 2008 7:33 pm
Cannot picture your thinga-ma-jig at all but will be very interesting to see more I think about it, it is starting to sound like what we "horse people" would call a sling. Would never have thought of adapting that idea to dogs but of course it should work perfectly... we live & learn
The main thing is - YOU sound much happier & that will be good medicine for Chinzi too
"The reason dogs are man's best friend is 'cos their tails wag & not their tongues"
Re: Cheer Up Chinzi !
by Annaret on Thu Oct 16, 2008 8:05 pm
Had no idea what a Canadian "doo-hickis" (doohickey) was... but after I googled it, realised it's spot-on! The dictionary even gave, gadget, contraption and "so waar as wraggies" THINGAMAJIG as synonyms!!! So thanks D, I have learnt something!
I think you've hit the nail on the head Glendyr, as Marinette works with horses a lot, so the idea probably came from there anyway... it is more like a sling yes, and I can lift her hind as much as I would deem necessary as we walk. I probably sound happier as I could spend the whole day with my Chinster! And of course I like the swimming a lot... just a pity I couldn't take leave EVERY day! Also must say, the spring weather is helping a lot as well to lift the spirits. Maybe also feel like something is finally happening, and the fact than I can now SEE her toes, also helps! At least we're moving in some sort of direction, although still a long road ahead...'till tomorrow...
Re: Cheer Up Chinzi !
by Jean on Thu Oct 16, 2008 10:32 pm
Hi Annaret. So glad to hear that Chinzi is doing better and that you are now going to Marinette. It was a pleasure to introduce you to her :) I have to take credit for the sling as well... invented it when Gemma had her hip replacement last year and when I showed it to Marinette when I went to fetch Gemma from hospital, she asked if she could use the idea for all her other patients. Glad it is working for Chinzi too :) Anyway, I am thrilled to hear that Chinzi is doing so well, and I hope she learns to love the pool / swimming, though it sounds like she does already. I love going there too - perhaps we should set up a tea room - LOL
Love and hugs to Chinzi, from the Pack.
Jean
Re: Cheer Up Chinzi !
by Annaret on Fri Oct 17, 2008 7:29 am
Brilliant Jean! The sling is working so very well. Thanks again, and yes, maybe we should arrange back-to-back sessions sometime and have a picnic under the tree by the pool. Looking forward to our next session 10am this morning.
Re: Cheer Up Chinzi !
by Annaret on Fri Oct 17, 2008 3:49 pm
Finally Imageshack cooperated. So here are some photos of Chinzi's session this morning:
She was so excited when we arrived at the centre she obviously remembered yesterday and she squealed with delight! Once in the pool she grabbed the closest leaf out of playfulness and brought it to me.
Go get the ball Chinz!
Bring to me...
Just look at those hind toes stretch!
Resting on the step...
Straight to her new "friends" in their cage...
But when they didn't want to come out and play, she thought she'd stay and keep watch...
The session went really well, and will try to get a photo of the thingamajig for you later! Next session next week Tuesday. Have a great weekend!
Re: Cheer Up Chinzi !
by Admin on Sun Oct 19, 2008 10:49 pm
Re: Cheer Up Chinzi !
by Glendyr on Mon Oct 20, 2008 8:28 am
Well done Brandyn, very sneaky of you spying our "private hydrotherapy attempt" yesterday You are SO lucky there are none of me on screen - "make-upless", scruffy & of course wearing my beloved gumboots for fear cold water went on my feet...I was a sight for sore eyes.
A snapshot of Annaret in her nifty wetsuit would have been a treat for all to see
"The reason dogs are man's best friend is 'cos their tails wag & not their tongues"
Re: Cheer Up Chinzi !
by Annaret on Mon Oct 20, 2008 8:42 am
Well done B! Really appreciate the "sneakiness"... nice surprise to see Chinz in her OWN lifejacket enjoying the water. Have to thank Glendyr & family (dogs included of course!) for accomodating us for a private session. Chinzi really needed it, as she has started to put her foot down more and more and obviously, the more she swims, the better. It would have been a long wait from Friday to Tuesday without a swim. Much appreciated!
Thanks to David for assisting, Brandyn for "sneaking" pictures... and of course J, Chels and Mocha having to sit locked in the room, and last but not least, Bandit having to stay put in his "hokkie". At least I threw some ball for you guys afterwards to make up!
Also a HUGE thanks to Kirsti for the use of her wetsuit, I think I would have still been blue today if it wasn't for that! I must say, those things are AMAZING! I didn't feel the cold one bit... and the car said Sunday morning was roundabout 15, 16 degrees at the time I arrived in Flamingo Vlei for our swim.
Thanks guys, all is much appreciated! Chinz enjoyed it, once again slept like a baby when we got home and the foot is looking better and better as we go along. Will keep you posted on progress.
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